The Survivor Support and Entitlements Branch is primarily responsible for the administrative and policy functions associated with the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).

The SBP is a monthly annuity paid by the Defense Finance and Accounting Service-Cleveland Center (DFAS-CL) on behalf of surviving spouses or eligible children of deceased retirees and certain active duty Sailors. The annuity paid to a surviving spouse is 55 percent of the base amount of retired or projected retired pay in active duty cases.

The SBP annuity payable to a surviving spouse is reduced, dollar for dollar, by the amount of Dependency Indemnity Compensation (DIC) paid by the Department of Veterans Administration (VA). Recently, a change in SBP law eliminated the Social Security offset. This elimination was completely phased in on 1 April 2008.

The SBP Branch provides assistance to retired Sailors via the administrative error correction process along with advisory opinions to the Board for Correction of Naval Records (BCNR) regarding SBP matters. Additionally, we ensure that Navy leadership is advised of any changes to law or policy that effect benefits and entitlements programs.

For family members of military personnel who die as a direct or indirect result of wartime or peacetime service and are eligible to receive several federal benefits. Benefits to a spouse and children are paid regardless of economic need, except in the case of a non-service connected death pension, while benefits for parents who might otherwise be eligible will not be paid if the parents have income in excess of a certain amount each year.

Your Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO), in conjunction with the nearest Veterans Administration or Social Security Office will explain the benefits, the amounts that can be paid, and assist you in completing the required claim form(s).